Corporal follows in grandfather’s footsteps

On the same day Britain declared war in 1939, Corporal Liam Haverty’s grandfather, William Patrick Haverty, signed on to fight with the British Royal Engineers.

CAPTION: Australian Army Corporal Liam Haverty deployed on Operation Accordion at Australia’s operating base in the Middle East Region. Photo by Melina Young.

Having attended the Royal Hibernian Military School in Dublin, he served in places like France, North Africa, and Italy right up until World War II ended, finishing as a staff sergeant.

Almost 80 years later, William’s grandson is deployed as a distribution operator in the Middle East, where he will spend Anzac Day 2023.

Corporal Haverty had a strong desire to give back to Australia, following in the footsteps of his grandfather.

“My Dad holds my grandfather’s six medals, and both my parents are beaming with pride that their two sons serve in the Army,” he said.

This is Corporal Haverty’s first deployment in the military and first Anzac Day overseas.

“I am really proud and excited to be here and it feels good to be part of a wider mission – it’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I joined the Army,” he said.

“To finally do the job on an operation and to serve alongside members of all services and all kinds of roles is very interesting and unique.”

His job is to facilitate the movement of equipment and items throughout the warehouse, making sure personnel have what they need to carry out their mission.

Two years ago, Corporal Haverty spent Anzac Day in isolation, disappointed he could not share the day with his workmates and friends.

“It’s a big contrast now that we are past that lock down period and can move around freely to pay our respects,” he said.

This year he will be the flag orderly, raising the Australian flag alongside those of Türkiye and New Zealand on Anzac Day.

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